As students return back to classes after winter break at Loyola, word made its way around campus about the student.

"It was a little bit frightening because you never know what goes on in college. People share drinks, toothbrushes, water bottles, water glasses," student Jillian Reidy said.

All students WBAL-TV 11 News spoke with were aware of the case and felt well warned by university officials.

"Just taking care of yourself and washing hands, being careful -- the school usually notifies us and keeps us up to date on information we need to know," student Nikki Kato said.

According to the email, which 11 News obtained on Tuesday evening, a undergraduate student was taken to a local hospital and was diagnosed by the hospital with bacterial meningitis. The student is currently in serious condition, and the school said there is no broad risk to the campus community.

University officials confirmed the email, further stating that the student's roommates and close contacts are receiving preventative treatment.

"The complications can include damage to the brain, learning disabilities, possible death and amputation of extremities such as arms and legs," said Dr. Judith DeBose, the medical director for the Bureau of School Health with the Baltimore City Health Department.

She said bacterial meningitis is more serious and concerning than viral because it requires antibiotics to treat. Given the close quarters on a college campus, it can be the perfect breeding ground.

"Because direct contact with that, they're more at risk for contracting the infection," DeBose said.

While health officials don't know the source, they are fairly confident the student contracted it off-campus during winter break. In the meantime, city and state doctors will continue to investigate the hospital's findings and have more information in the coming week.

Bacterial meningitis is an infection that is spread by direct, close contact with saliva, mucous or droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person. It is not spread by breathing the air where someone with the disease has been. Symptoms include: